Let me get the front tire balanced and I'll get back to you. Taking it off and heading to the local moto shop this afternoon (they do ATV's and tractor tires for cheap, they should be able to handle the scoot too).

Most of the time they are restricted by putting a bushing in the CVT which keeps it from reaching a higher gear; some brands also throw in a rev limiter and restrictor plate in the exhaust.

Some brands ship derestricted.

Ain't no way you're gonna want a restricted scoot. 30mph is insanely slow and a safety issue--it's not fast enough to mingle with real traffic. 35, though, is actually a decent scootering speed. Sounds slow but it's fine. 40-45 is gravy.

The process is usually 20 minutes or less to uncork 'em. Replace the bushing, cut the rev limiter wire, remove the restrictor plate, that sort of thing.

Running them restricted means they are "mopeds" in most states, which typically define mopeds as <30mph, <3 hp, and no gears (that varies but it's the ballpark). As such you can ride them without tags or license or insurance. Again, that varies, but that's the idea.

However, it's pretty common for owners to derestrict them and run them untagged, and that's what makes them outstanding commuter vehicles--cheap to run, and can typically take advantage of free parking.

It depends on how hard local jurisdictions are cracking down on scoots. Around here, if they see a college student or commuter wearing a lid and riding sanely, there's no hassle. You definately don't want to be wheelieing past the Nice Officer, though, or doing much over 35.

I ran both of ours untagged and derestricted. The 50cc kymco Super9 will easy hit 55mph and cruise at 50 all day long.

Running them restricted means they are "mopeds" in most states, which typically define mopeds as <30mph, <3 hp, and no gears (that varies but it's the ballpark). As such you can ride them without tags or license or insurance. Again, that varies, but that's the idea.

I need to test ride a few different types, but they look fun. Not sure about battling the ATL SUV's.

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If you've got 45mph roads, you're okay. If these are 4-lane 45mph roads with flow of traffic around 50-55, then it's gonna be frustrating and you'd be better off with a 125/150 or more.

However, in the 35/40/45 streets around here, I keep up with traffic just fine on a 50 (Vento Zip R3i). In rush hour, even on 45mph roads, I'm typically passing traffic. Downtown, there's not a car that can keep up with me.

Sorta, there's a local "shop" very close to me. They don't have an official storefront yet, currently making deliveries all over the state out of their small warehouse space. I called and setup a time to meet, they cut me a deal for skipping the delivery, and they'll take care of me with parts, etc.

Sorta, there's a local "shop" very close to me. They don't have an official storefront yet, currently making deliveries all over the state out of their small warehouse space. I called and setup a time to meet, they cut me a deal for skipping the delivery, and they'll take care of me with parts, etc.

If you've got 45mph roads, you're okay. If these are 4-lane 45mph roads with flow of traffic around 50-55, then it's gonna be frustrating and you'd be better off with a 125/150 or more.

However, in the 35/40/45 streets around here, I keep up with traffic just fine on a 50 (Vento Zip R3i). In rush hour, even on 45mph roads, I'm typically passing traffic. Downtown, there's not a car that can keep up with me.

On the Super 9, I can harass cars and motorcycles up to 50-55mph.

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I am surrounded by 4 lane very fast slab and only a mile from the twelve lane supper slab. So I would need something with a little get up and go. I'm just waiting to buy Rider's ST when he moves to the Big Ruckus.

I went to the local shops, was underimpressed with the Honda and Yamaha 50cc offerings (way too much $$$, way too slow). I did my online homework, and in the cheap corner, the Vento's win on quality and support. When I went down to look at the Vento, they had a Zip and a couple of the other models listed on their website. After all the online searching, i was pretty sure the Triton was for me, errr, us.